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Impact of musical training in specialised centres on learning strategies, auditory discrimination and working memory in adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2023

Carmen María Sepúlveda-Durán Open the ORCID record for Carmen María Sepúlveda-Durán [Opens in a new window] ,
Pilar Martín-Lobo Open the ORCID record for Pilar Martín-Lobo [Opens in a new window]  and
Sandra Santiago-Ramajo Open the ORCID record for Sandra Santiago-Ramajo [Opens in a new window]
Carmen María Sepúlveda-Durán
Affiliation:
Department of Education, Universidad de Córdoba, C/ San Alberto Magno, s/n, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
Pilar Martín-Lobo
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Psychology, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, nº 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
Sandra Santiago-Ramajo*
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Psychology, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, nº 137, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
*
Corresponding author: Sandra Santiago-Ramajo; Email: sandra.sramajo@unir.net
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse whether specialised musical training influences auditory discrimination, working memory, learning strategies and academic performance. Sixty students (30 with at least four years of musical training and 30 without) of the same socioeconomic level were compared. Significant differences were found between students with and without musical training in terms of learning strategies, working memory and academic performance (p= <.05). This study shows the benefits of musical training offered at specialised centres, the development of students’ cognitive skills and the contributions of neuroscience to improving professional practice.

Keywords

Adolescencelearning strategiesauditory discriminationworking memorymusical training

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Article
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British Journal of Music Education , Volume 41 , Issue 1 , March 2024 , pp. 51 - 64
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© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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